System and method to automatically deliver gift media

ABSTRACT

In various exemplary embodiments, a system and method to provide gift media is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at an interactive media component, a selection of the media item and a selection of at least one recipient for the media item from a user of a client device. A purchase transaction based on the selection of the media item and the at least one recipient is processed. Delivery of the media item to the at least one recipient is triggered.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/875,482, filed on Sep. 3, 2010, which application claims the prioritybenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/239,742,filed on Sep. 3, 2009, which applications are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present application relates generally to the field of electroniccommunications and, in one example embodiment, to a system and method toprovide media as a gift.

BACKGROUND

Television program distribution systems are available that providevideo-on-demand (VOD) to subscribers. Similarly, other forms of digitaldistribution systems, such as music or book downloads exist.Conventionally, a subscriber or user of a distribution system selectsand purchases media (e.g., VOD, music, books) for themselves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various ones of the appended drawings merely illustrate exampleembodiments and cannot be considered as limiting its scope.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of anetwork architecture of an example interactive media environment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of purchaseengine.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an example method for providing a gift mediaitem.

FIG. 4 is an example user interface used to provide the gift media item.

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of a machine in an example form ofa computing system within which a set of instructions for causing themachine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed hereinmay be executed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description that follows includes systems, methods, techniques,instruction sequences, and computing machine program products thatembody illustrative embodiments of the present invention. In thefollowing description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specificdetails are set forth in order to provide an understanding of variousembodiments of the inventive subject matter. It will be evident,however, to those skilled in the art that embodiments of the inventivesubject matter may be practiced without these specific details. Ingeneral, well-known instruction instances, protocols, structures, andtechniques have not been shown in detail.

Although various example embodiments discussed below focus on a digitalvideo distribution system, the embodiments are given merely for clarityin disclosure. Thus, any type of digital or tangible media distributionsystem, including various system architectures, may employ variousembodiments of the system and method described herein and be consideredas being within a scope of example embodiments. Each of a variety ofexample embodiments is discussed in detail below.

Example embodiments described herein provide systems and methods toprovide media items as a gift. In one embodiment, the media itemcomprises a video-on-demand (VOD) provided to at least one remote unitor device (e.g., Set-Top-Box, personal computer, mobile devices such asa smart phone, or the like) of another individual, for example, via atelevision channel or sub-channel in a targeted media displayenvironment. In alternative embodiments, the media item may compriseaudio media items or other digital media items. Further still, the mediaitem may be provided in a tangible medium such as, for example, a DVD orBlu-ray disc based on a purchase performed via embodiments of thepresent system. Additionally, the media item may comprise a service suchas a premium channel (e.g., pay-for channel), a subscription plan for amedia distribution service (e.g., of one or more premium channels), oran upgraded subscription plan. In yet further embodiments, the mediaitem may be a widget or an interactive application (e.g., an applicationfor a smart phone).

FIG. 1 illustrates a network architecture of an example interactivemedia environment 100 wherein the present invention may be deployed. Theinteractive media environment 100 includes a source system 102 thatcommunicates data (e.g., media content data and interactive applicationdata) via a distribution network or system 104 (e.g., the Internet, amobile communication network, satellite network, cable network, or anyother network capable of communicating or broadcasting digital data) anda modulator box 106 to a receiver system 108. In one example embodiment,the interactive media environment 100 optionally includes a storage unit110 (e.g., personal computer) that communicates stored data via anetwork 112 to the modulator box 106 which, in turn, communicates thestored data, media content data, and interactive application data to thereceiver system 108. The modulator box 106, storage unit 110, and thereceiver system 108 may be co-located in a user's home. Thus, in oneembodiment, the modulator box 106 may combine media content data andinteractive application data received from the remote source system 102with locally stored data provided by the storage unit 110 within theuser's home.

Turning first to the source system 102, an example headend system 114 isan interactive media component that operates to communicate the data as,for example, a broadcast transmission. To this end, the headend system114 is shown to include one or more broadcast servers 116 and,optionally, one or more application servers 118. Each of the broadcastservers 116 may operate to receive, encode, packetize, multiplex,modulate, and broadcast data from various sources and of various types.While the example embodiment is described herein as transmitting datafrom the headend system 114 as a broadcast, it will be appreciated thatthe relevant data could also be unicast or multicast from the sourcesystem 102 via the distribution system 104 and modulator box 106 to thereceiver system 108. In various embodiments, data could also betransmitted from the source system 102 via a network connection to thereceiver system 108. Further, in other example embodiments the sourcesystem 102 may be modified to facilitate communications via theInternet, a mobile phone network, or any other network capable ofcommunicating digital data.

Each application server 118, in one example embodiment, compiles andprovides interactive data modules to the broadcast server 116. Theinteractive data modules may also include, for example, data that isutilized by an interactive television application. The applicationserver 118 may also include multiplexing functionality to enablemultiplexing of, for example, interactive television applications andassociated data with audio and video signals received from varioussources. The application server 118 may also have the capability to feed(e.g., stream) multiple interactive television applications to one ormore broadcast servers 116 for distribution to the receiver system 108.To this end, each application server 118 may implement a so-called“carousel,” whereby code and data modules are provided to a broadcastserver 116 in a cyclic, repetitive manner for inclusion within atransmission from the headend system 114. In other embodiments, code mayreside permanently in a set-top box (STB) 120 (e.g., the code may bestored in non-volatile memory of the STB 120), may be pushed ordownloaded to the STB 120, or be provided to the STB 120 in any othermanner.

In one embodiment, one or more of the application servers 118 provide apurchase engine that allows a user to purchase media for others. Thepurchase engine will be discussed, by way of example, in more detail inconnection with FIG. 2.

The headend system 114 is also shown, by way of example, to include oneor more backend servers 122, which are coupled to the applicationservers 118 and to an input/output device 124 (e.g., a modem pool).Specifically, the I/O device 124 is coupled to receive data from thereceiver system 108 via a network 126 (e.g., the Internet) and toprovide this data to backend servers 122. The backend servers 122 maythen provide the data, received from the receiver system 108, to theapplication servers 118 and the broadcast servers 116. Alternatively,data received from the receiver system 108 may be directly provided tothe application servers 118.

Accordingly, the network 126 and the I/O device 126 may operate as areturn channel whereby the receiver system 108 is provided withinteractivity with the source system 102. Data provided to the headendsystem 114 via the return channel may include, merely for example, userinput to an interactive media application executed at the receiversystem 108 or data that is generated by the receiver system 108 andcommunicated to the source system 102. The data may include informationfor purchase of a gift media item as will be discussed in further below.The return channel may also provide a channel whereby programs, targetedadvertisements/commercials, and applications from the source system 102may be provided to the receiver system 108.

Within the source system 102, the headend system 114 is also shownoptionally to exchange data (e.g., content, code, and application data)with external sources. For example, the headend system 114 may becoupled to one or more content sources 128 and one or more applicationsources 130 via a network 132 (e.g., the Internet). For example, acontent source 128 may be a provider of entertainment content (e.g.,movie, songs), a provider of real-time dynamic data (e.g., weatherinformation), a distributor of tangible goods, a service provider (e.g.,cable or satellite service provider), and the like. The applicationsource 130 may be a provider of any interactive media application. Forexample, one or more application sources 130 may provide a TV mediaplayer application, electronic program guide and navigationapplications, messaging and communication applications, informationapplications, widgets or interactive applications (e.g., smart phoneapplication), and so forth. The application may be configured to executeon different client devices (e.g., mobile phones, personal computer,STBs, smart phones, or the like). In some embodiments, the contentsources 128 and the application sources 130 may be combined within thesame entity or entities.

As such, in one embodiment, the headend system 114 may comprise a systemthat is source agnostic, which links to different companies (i.e.,content sources 128 and application sources 130) to provide variousforms of media items to a recipient. That is, the source agnostic server(e.g., of the headend system 114) may provide media items from one typeof content source 128 to a recipient associated with a different contentsource 8. For example, the recipient may subscribe to one particularcable television distributor, but may receive a gift media item from adifferent television distributor or from a tangible goods distributor.It is further noted that a purchaser of the gift media item may beassociated with a different content source 128 (e.g., a different cabletelevision distributor) or system than that of a recipient of the giftmedia item. In an alternative embodiment, the content may be transmitteddirected from the external content source 128 or the application source130 (e.g., via network 132).

Turning now to the example distribution system 104, the distributionsystem 104 may, in one embodiment, support the broadcast distribution ofdata from the source system 102 to the receiver system 108. As shown,the distribution network or system 104 may comprise a satellite, cable,terrestrial or Digital Subscribers Line (DSL) network, or any other datacommunication network or combination of such networks.

The receiver system 108 is shown, in one example embodiment, to includethe set-top box (STB) 120 that receives data (e.g., primary andsecondary content streams) via the distribution system 104 and modulatorbox 106 and an input/output device 133 (e.g., modem) for return channelcommunications with the headend system 114. The receiver system 108 isalso shown to include other optional external systems such as a userinput device 134 (e.g., a keyboard, remote control, mouse) and a displaydevice 136, coupled to the set-top box 120, for the display of contentreceived at the set-top box 120. In example embodiments, the displaydevice 136 may be a television set, a computer display, or a smart phonedisplay. In various embodiments, the receiver system 108 or componentswithin the receiver system 108 may be referred to as a client deviceused to access the media.

The modulator box 106, in one example embodiment, receives stored datafrom the storage unit 110 and a broadcast transmission from the sourcesystem 102. The modulator box 106 multiplexes the stored data into thebroadcast transmission thereby generating a second transmission that iscommunicated to the receiving system 108. It will, however, beappreciated that storage unit functionality is optional. The storageunit 110 may store data and, upon request, communicate the stored datato the modulator box 106 over the network 112 (e.g., Ethernet). Thestorage unit 110 may communicate the stored data in response to commandsthat are entered by a user from the set-top box 120 and communicated tothe storage unit 110 over a link 138.

It will be appreciated to one skilled in the art that one or more of themodules, applications, or the like of the modulator box 106, the set-topbox 120, and the storage unit 110 may be combined or integrated. Ingeneral, components, protocols, structures, and techniques not directlyrelated to functions of example embodiments have not been shown ordiscussed in detail. The description given herein simply provides avariety of example embodiments to aid the reader in an understanding ofthe systems and methods used herein. While the interactive mediaenvironment 100 is illustrated having a receiving system 108 including aset-top box 120, it is noted that the receiving system 108 may comprisea mobile device, a personal computer, or any other type of client devicethat is capable of presenting media and that is coupled to a network forreceiving the media.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a purchase engine 200 of the source system 102is shown. In example embodiments, the purchase engine 200 is embodiedwithin one or more of the application servers 118. The purchase engine200 allows a user to purchase media items (e.g., video-on-demand, audioitems, interactive applications) for one or more different individuals.These individuals comprise family or friends of the user. In one exampleembodiment, the purchase engine 200 comprises a media selection module202, a recipient selection module 204, a pricing module 206, atransaction module 208, a notification module 210, and a delivery module212. Alternative embodiments may comprise further components or modulesnot directly related to example embodiments of a gift media system, andthus are not shown or discussed. Furthermore, components of the purchaseengine 200 may be located elsewhere or be combined.

The media selection module 202 provides instructions for a mechanism forthe user to select a media item (e.g., video or audio items). In exampleembodiments, the media selection module 202 provides instructions togenerate a user interface at a client device associated with the user.In one embodiment, the client device comprises the set-top box 120. Inthis embodiment, the applications or middleware of the set-top box 120may receive the instructions and generate the user interface. Inalternative embodiments, the client device may be a mobile phone,computing device, or any other device enabled to handle a purchasetransaction. In these embodiments, the instructions may render the userinterface at the client device. As such, the user may view a catalog ofavailable media and select one of the media items. In an alternativeexample, the user may be viewing or using a media item (e.g., a movie)and decide to purchase it for another individual. The user may trigger apurchase transaction by selecting a media item.

The recipient selection module 204 manages selection of the otherindividuals (e.g., via other client devices) for whom the user ispurchasing the media item. In one embodiment, the recipient selectionmodule 204 provides a previously generated list of individualsassociated with the user to the client device. The list may comprise, inone example, a buddy list. A buddy list may, for example, comprise apreviously determined list of friends and family members of the user. Inone embodiment, the buddy list is locally stored at the user's clientdevice. In alternative embodiments, the buddy list is stored at thesource system 102 (e.g., on a database storing user account information)and associated with an account of the user. The buddy list may be servedto the client device, for example, when a user interface is served thatallows the user access to their account information, allows the user toaccess a menu associated a receiving system 108, or when the usertriggers a purchase transaction (e.g., while watching a media item). Anexample of a user interface is provided in FIG. 4.

In another embodiment, the recipient selection module 204 enables theuser to select an individual at the time of the purchase transaction.For example, the user may look up and add an individual not already onthe user's buddy list. In another example, instructions may be providedto generate a field on the user interface where the user may manuallyenter identification information (e.g., e-mail address, name andshipping address, phone number or other identifier of a mobile device)for the individual for whom the media item is being purchased.

The pricing module 206 determines a price based on the selected mediaitem. Media items may be priced differently based on the content source128 (or application source 130), method of delivery (e.g., digitaldownload, tangible media), and recipient. For example, if the recipientsubscribes to the same content source 128 that is providing the mediaitem, the media item may be priced lower than if the recipient is not asubscriber.

In one embodiment, the pricing module 20 may provide a list of aplurality of content sources 128 or application sources 130 that providethe selected media item along with a price from each content source 128or application source 130. The list may also provide different pricingfor different media delivery types (e.g., digital download versus atangible media item being shipped to the recipient). This allows theuser, for example, to shop for the lowest priced media item.

In an alternative embodiment, only pricing from the content source 128,application source 130, or source associated with the headend system 114that is associated with the user purchasing the media item (e.g., acable or satellite provider that the user subscribes to) is provided. Ifthe selected media item is not available from this one source, thenpricing from alternative content sources 128 or application sources 130is provided.

Additionally, discounts or promotions may be applied. For example, ifthe user purchases a media item for more than one person, a discount maybe provided (e.g., bulk discount). In addition or alternatively, adiscount may be provided when a user purchases multiple media items forthe same individual. In another example, discounts may be provided for amedia item that has been previous purchased by the user (e.g., allowingthe user to recommend the media item to other individuals). In oneembodiment, a promotional item may be provided based on instructionsfrom the pricing module 206. For example, the promotional item may beinserted into a broadcast or transmission via the distribution network104 (e.g., via the carousel). The promotional item may includeinformation regarding discounts or promotions for a future purchase.

The transaction module 208 processes the purchase transaction based onthe selection of the media item and the recipient(s). In exampleembodiments, the user provides authorization to process payment for thepurchase transaction. In one embodiment, when the purchase engine 200already knows the identity of the user (e.g., from the user accessingthe purchase engine via their client device or when the user logs inwith the headend system 114), the transaction module 208 has access tothe user's payment information (e.g., credit card, account number) onfile. The transaction module 208, thus, can authenticate and authorizethe completion of the purchase transaction. In one embodiment, the userprovides verification of their identity in order for the purchasetransaction to be completed.

The notification module 210 provides notifications to parties involvedin the purchase transaction. Thus, each recipient may receive anotification of the gift media item. In some embodiments, the recipientnotification may provide information regarding accessing the gift mediaitem. In one embodiment, a URL may be provided that, when selected bythe recipient, accesses the media item (e.g., for streaming ordownload). In other embodiments, the notification module 210 sendsmetadata (e.g., with some authorization code) to the recipient. Therecipient may then download the media item using the metadata. In yetanother embodiment, the user may be provided instructions to interactwith, or be redirected to, the content source 128 or application source130. The user may then provide the content source 128 or applicationsource 130 with details to enable the content source 128 or applicationsource 130 to transmit the media item or a link to the media item to therecipient.

Similarly, the user may receive a confirmation notification that thepurchase transaction is completed. Furthermore, the same notification ora later notification may indicate that the gift media item is shipped,transmitted, received, or retrieved by the recipient. Thenotification(s) to the user may be provided to a client device of theuser. For example, if the client device is a set-top box, then thenotification may be sent to the set-top box and locally stored until theuser accesses the notification. Alternatively, the notification may bedelivered via SMS or e-mail.

The delivery module 212 triggers delivery of the media item to therecipient. In one embodiment, the delivery module 212 may cause themedia item to be transmitted to a device of the recipient (e.g., storedto the recipient's set-top box, downloaded to the recipient's mobiledevice). For example, the media item may be injected into a media streambeing transmitted to the recipient. In yet another embodiment, thedelivery module 212 may cause the media item to be associated with therecipient's account such that the recipient may access the media item(e.g., stream or download) via a user interface associated with therecipient's account. Further still, the delivery module 212 may triggera shipment of the media item to a physical location of the recipient. Inexample embodiments, the delivery module 212 may cause (e.g., byproviding instructions to a component of) the headend system 114 todeliver the media item. Alternatively, the delivery module may cause(e.g., by providing instructions to) the content source 128 or theapplication source to deliver the media item. An example of a userinterface is shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an example method 300 for providing giftmedia items. The method 300 may be performed by one or more applicationservers 118 of the source system 102. In operation 302, a menu isprovided to the user. In example embodiments, the user performs anaction to indicate a desire to view the menu. For example, the user mayclick on a menu indicator on their client device (e.g., set-top box 120(e.g., using a remote control), computing device, mobile phone, or thelike). Once selected, the user is provided a user interface includingthe menu that allows the user to select a media item, download mediaitems, rate media items, or perform other actions. An example of theuser interface is discussed in further detail in connection with FIG. 4.

Continuing with the method 300, a media selection is received atoperation 304. For example, the user may select the media item from acatalog of available media items. The catalog of the available mediaitems may be stored locally on a client device (including, for example,periodic updating thereof), or sourced from a remote data store (e.g.,associated with the source system 102). The media selection may furtherindicate a delivery method type (e.g., digital broadcast media,downloadable, tangible media) being purchased. After a user has made aselection, the selection information is sent from the client device andreceived by the media selection module 202. In one embodiment, theselection information may be sent via the return channel (e.g., thenetwork 126).

The user may also indicate that the media item selected is a gift. Agift indication is received at operation 306. It should be noted thatoperations 304 and 306 may occur simultaneous (e.g., be combined into asingle operation) or operation 306 may occur prior to operation 304.

At operation 308, a selection of one or more recipients is received. Inone embodiment, the recipient may be chosen from a list associated withthe user. The list may be a user-generated list of friends and familymembers (e.g., buddy list). The buddy list may be locally stored at theuser's client device, or the buddy list may be stored at the sourcesystem 102 and associated with the user's account. In anotherembodiment, an identification of a recipient may be manually entered bythe user. For example, the user may enter an e-mail address, networkhandle, name and address, phone number, or any other identifierassociated with the recipient. In further embodiments, the user mayperform a search to find one or more recipients (e.g., enter a name tofind the user's identity) or add a new buddy to their buddy list. Itshould be noted that operations 304, 306, and 308 may be combined into asingle operation.

A purchase transaction is processed in operation 310. In someembodiments, the purchase transaction is automatically triggered uponreceipt of the media item selection and recipient selection. During theprocessing, the user may provide an authorization indication (e.g.,selection of a button that indicates that the user agrees to pay for thepurchase). The user may also provide a verification indication (e.g.,login password) to verify their identity.

Once the purchase transaction is completed, one or more notificationsare provided in operation 312. Notification(s) may be provided to theuser to confirm the completion of the purchase transaction and deliveryof the gift media item. The notification to the user may be provided tothe client device of the user. For example, if the client device is aset-top box, then the notification may be sent to the set-top box andlocally stored until the user accesses the notification. Alternatively,if the client device is a mobile device or personal computer, then thenotification may be delivered via SMS or e-mail. The notification mayalso be sent to other devices associated with the user (not used totransact the gift purchase transaction).

A notification may also be sent to each recipient of the gift informingeach recipient of the gift. The recipient notification may be providedas an e-mail communication, a SMS message, or a message associated withthe recipient's account (e.g., for a set-top box embodiment). Thenotification may be sent to any device or address associated with therecipient (e.g., set-top box, personal computer, mobile phone).

In some embodiments, the recipient notification may provide informationregarding accessing the gift media item. In an e-mail embodiment, a URLmay be provided that, when selected by the recipient, accesses the mediaitem (e.g., for streaming or download), or the media item, itself, maybe provided. Alternatively, the notification may notify the recipientthat the media item is accessible via the recipient's account. Furtherstill, the notification may providing tracking information for shipmentof tangible media items.

The media item is delivered to the recipient. In one embodiment, themedia item may automatically be stored to a device of the recipient(e.g., stored at the recipient's set-top box or downloaded torecipient's mobile device). In yet another embodiment, the media itemmay be associated with the recipient's account such that the recipientmay access the media item (e.g., stream or download) via a userinterface associated with the recipient's account. In anotherembodiment, a tangible version of the media item be may shipped to therecipient.

FIG. 4 is an example user interface 400 used to provide gift media or toaccess a menu associated with a user's or recipient's account. Thus, theuser may use the user interface 400 to transact a purchase for the giftmedia and access notifications. Furthermore, a recipient may utilize theuser interface 400 to access notifications and media items. In oneembodiment, the example user interface 400 is displayed to a user on aclient device having a display (e.g., the display device 136) that iscoupled to a user input device (e.g., user input device 134 such as amouse, a keyboard, a touch screen or any other user input arrangement).In an example embodiment, when the user accesses the menu, the userinterface 400 is provided.

The menu is shown, by way of example, to include a media catalog 402through which the user may scroll to select a media item. In theexample, the user may select, using the user input device, Video 2,which is rated PG and has a price of $3.99. The user also indicates thatthe purchase transaction is a gift by selecting a gift indicator 404.The user may further indicate one or more recipients from a list ofindividuals 406 associated with the user. In one embodiment, thepurchase engine 200 may suggest that the user select additionalrecipients at a discount. The purchase transaction may then beprocessed. In an example embodiment, a single user interface may providea user an indication of available media items, a display area tofacilitate a user selection to gift the media item, and one or morerecipients names to receive the gifted media item.

In an alternative example, the user may be viewing or interacting with amedia in a media viewing section 408. The user decides to purchase acopy of the media for a friend or family member. As such, the userprovides an indication (e.g., via a remote control device or specifiedkey on a device) to initiate a purchase transaction. The indication maythen trigger the display of the media catalog 402, the list ofindividuals 406, or a field to input an individual identifier adjacentto or superimposed, in part, over the media viewing section 408. Themedia catalog 402, in this example, may comprise one or more ofdifferent versions of the media (e.g., uncut version, widescreenversion), different media delivery types (e.g., downloadable, tangible,instant data stream to recipient device), or different pricing options(e.g., from various content sources 128).

In one embodiment, the media catalog 402 may provide the user with anoption to purchase a service or upgrade the service of the recipient.For example, the user may purchase a one-month subscription to a premiumchannel or purchase an upgraded multi-premium channel package for therecipient.

Modules, Components, and Logic

Additionally, certain embodiments described herein may be implemented aslogic or a number of modules, engines, components, or mechanisms. Amodule, engine, logic, component, or mechanism (collectively referred toas a “module”) may be a tangible unit capable of performing certainoperations and configured or arranged in a certain manner. In certainexample embodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone,client, or server computer system) or one or more components of acomputer system (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may beconfigured by software (e.g., an application or application portion) orfirmware (note that software and firmware can generally be usedinterchangeably herein as is known by a skilled artisan as a module thatoperates to perform certain operations described herein.

In various embodiments, a module may be implemented mechanically orelectronically. For example, a module may comprise dedicated circuitryor logic that is permanently configured (e.g., within a special-purposeprocessor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or array) toperform certain operations. A module may also comprise programmablelogic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within a general-purposeprocessor or other programmable processor) that is temporarilyconfigured by software or firmware to perform certain operations. Itwill be appreciated that a decision to implement a module mechanically,in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarilyconfigured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may be driven by,for example, cost, time, energy-usage, and package size considerations.

Accordingly, the term “module” should be understood to encompass atangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed,permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily configured(e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or to perform certainoperations described herein. Considering embodiments in which modules orcomponents are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of themodules or components need not be configured or instantiated at any oneinstance in time. For example, where the modules or components comprisea general-purpose processor configured using software, thegeneral-purpose processor may be configured as respective differentmodules at different times. Software may accordingly configure theprocessor to constitute a particular module at one instance of time andto constitute a different module at a different instance of time.

Modules can provide information to, and receive information from, othermodules. Accordingly, the described modules may be regarded as beingcommunicatively coupled. Where multiples of such modules existcontemporaneously, communications may be achieved through signaltransmission (e.g., over appropriate circuits and buses) that connectthe modules. In embodiments in which multiple modules are configured orinstantiated at different times, communications between such modules maybe achieved, for example, through the storage and retrieval ofinformation in memory structures to which the multiple modules haveaccess. For example, one module may perform an operation and store theoutput of that operation in a memory device to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further module may then, at a later time,access the memory device to retrieve and process the stored output.Modules may also initiate communications with input or output devicesand can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection of information).

Example Machine Architecture and Machine-Readable Medium

With reference to FIG. 5, an example embodiment extends to a machine inthe example form of a computer system 500 within which instructions forcausing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein may be executed. In alternative example embodiments,the machine operates as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g.,networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine mayoperate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server-clientnetwork environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (ordistributed) network environment. The machine may be a personal computer(PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant(PDA), a cellular telephone, a web appliance, a network router, a switchor bridge, or any machine capable of executing instructions (sequentialor otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further,while only a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The example computer system 500 may include a processor 502 (e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU) orboth), a main memory 504 and a static memory 506, which communicate witheach other via a bus 508. The computer system 500 may further include avideo display unit 510 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or acathode ray tube (CRT)). In example embodiments, the computer system 500also includes one or more of an alpha-numeric input device 512 (e.g., akeyboard), a user interface (UI) navigation device or cursor controldevice 514 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 516, a signal generationdevice 518 (e.g., a speaker), and a network interface device 520.

Machine-Readable Medium

The disk drive unit 516 includes a machine-readable medium 522 on whichis stored one or more sets of instructions 524 and data structures(e.g., software instructions) embodying or used by any one or more ofthe methodologies or functions described herein. The instructions 524may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 504 or within the processor 502 during execution thereof by thecomputer system 500, with the main memory 504 and the processor 502 alsoconstituting machine-readable media.

While the machine-readable medium 522 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” may include asingle medium or multiple media a centralized or distributed database,or associated caches and servers) that store the one or moreinstructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken toinclude any tangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding, orcarrying instructions for execution by the machine and that cause themachine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of embodimentsof the present invention, or that is capable of storing, encoding, orcarrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions.The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to, solid-state memories and optical andmagnetic media. Specific examples of machine-readable media includenon-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memorydevices (e.g., Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM),Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), and flashmemory devices); magnetic disks such as internal hard disks andremovable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. Inone embodiment, the machine-readable medium comprises a non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium.

Transmission Medium

The instructions 524 may further be transmitted or received over acommunications network 526 using a transmission medium via the networkinterface device 520 and utilizing any one of a number of well-knowntransfer protocols (e.g., HTTP). Examples of communication networksinclude a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), theInternet, mobile telephone networks, POTS networks, and wireless datanetworks (e.g., WiFi and WiMax networks). The term “transmission medium”shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by themachine, and includes digital or analog communications signals or otherintangible medium to facilitate communication of such software.

Although an overview of the inventive subject matter has been describedwith reference to specific example embodiments, various modificationsand changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from thebroader spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention. Suchembodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein,individually or collectively, by the term “invention” merely forconvenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of thisapplication to any single invention or inventive concept if more thanone is, in fact, disclosed.

The embodiments illustrated herein are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed.Other embodiments may be used and derived therefrom, such thatstructural and logical substitutions and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of this disclosure. The Detailed Description,therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope ofvarious embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along withthe full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Moreover, plural instances may be provided for resources, operations, orstructures described herein as a single instance. Additionally,boundaries between various resources, operations, modules, engines, anddata stores are somewhat arbitrary, and particular operations areillustrated in a context of specific illustrative configurations. Otherallocations of functionality are envisioned and may fall within a scopeof various embodiments of the present invention. In general, structuresand functionality presented as separate resources in the exampleconfigurations may be implemented as a combined structure or resource.Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single resourcemay be implemented as separate resources. These and other variations,modifications, additions, and improvements fall within a scope ofembodiments of the present invention. As used herein, the term “or” maybe construed in either an inclusive or exclusive sense.

Thus, a method and system to provide gift media in an exemplaryinteractive media environment are described. Although the presentinvention has been described with reference to specific exemplaryembodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changesmay be made to these embodiments without departing from the broaderspirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification anddrawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivesense. Further, it will be appreciated that the components/modulesdescribed or illustrated in the application may represent logical unitsand do not necessary correspond to one or more physical devices that maybe deployed.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving; at aninteractive media component that comprises one or more servers, from aclient device of a user, a selection of a media item to be provided to arecipient, the interactive media component having access to a pluralityof sources of media content; receiving; at the interactive mediacomponent from the client device, a selection of the recipient for themedia item, a recipient identifier being accessible to the interactivemedia component; and causing, by the interactive media component,delivery of the media item to the recipient, the causing deliverycomprising: determining whether the media item to be provided isavailable from a source of the plurality of different sources that issubscribed to by the user that is providing the media item to therecipient; and either responsive to determining that the media item isavailable from the source subscribed to by the user, causing delivery ofthe media item to the recipient from the source subscribed to by theuser, or responsive to determining that the media item is not availablefrom the source subscribed to by the user; causing delivery of the mediaitem to the recipient from an alternative source of the plurality ofsources that is selected by the user from a list of one or morealternative sources identified by the interactive media component ashaving the media item, the recipient identifier comprising at least oneof an e-mail address, a network handle, a name and address, or atelephone number.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sourcesubscribed to by the user comprises a cable or satellite provider. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein the causing the delivery comprisescausing, by the interactive media component, the cable or satelliteprovider subscribed to by the user to provide the media item to therecipient that subscribes to a different cable or satellite provider. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sources comprises one ormore content sources or one or more application sources.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the causing the delivery comprises causing, by theinteractive media component, the source subscribed to by the user toprovide the media item to the recipient that subscribes to a differentsource.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the causing the deliverycomprises: accessing, by the interactive media component, the media itemfrom the source subscribed to by the user; and transmitting, by theinteractive media component, the media item to the recipient thatsubscribes to the different source.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereinthe receiving the selection of the media item and the recipient is overa first network and the causing delivery of the media item is over asecond network.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the causing thedelivery comprises causing shipment of a tangible version of the mediaitem to the recipient.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the causingdelivery comprises transmitting a notification to the recipient, thenotification including a uniform resource locator (URL) or metadata toaccess the media item.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein thealternative source is a source that is not subscribed to by the user.11. A system comprising: one or more hardware processors; and a storagedevice storing instructions, that when executed by the one or morehardware processors, cause the one or more hardware processors toperform operations comprising: receiving, at an interactive mediacomponent that comprises one or more servers, from a client device of auser, a selection of a media item to be provided to a recipient, theinteractive media component having access to a plurality of sources ofmedia content; receiving, at the interactive media component from theclient device, a selection of the recipient for the media item, arecipient identifier being accessible to the interactive mediacomponent; and causing, by the interactive media component, delivery ofthe media item to the recipient, the causing delivery comprising:determining whether the media item to be provided is available from asource of the plurality of different sources that is subscribed to bythe user that is providing the media item to the recipient; and eitherresponsive to determining that, the media item is available from thesource subscribed to by the user, causing delivery of the media item tothe recipient from the source subscribed to by the user, or responsiveto determining that the media item is not available from the sourcesubscribed to by the user, causing delivery of the media item to therecipient from an alternative source of the plurality of sources that isselected by the user from a list of one or more alternative sourcesidentified by the interactive media component as having the media item,the recipient identifier comprising at least one of an e-mail address, anetwork handle, a name and address, or a telephone number.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the source subscribed to by the usercomprises a cable or satellite provider.
 13. The system of claim 12,wherein the causing the delivery comprises causing, by the interactivemedia component, the cable or satellite provider subscribed to by theuser to provide the media item to the recipient that subscribes to adifferent cable or satellite provider.
 14. The system of claim 11,wherein the causing the delivery comprises causing, by the interactivemedia component, the source subscribed to by the user to provide themedia item to the recipient that subscribes to a different source. 15.The system of claim 11, wherein the causing the delivery comprisescausing shipment of a tangible version of the media item to therecipient.
 16. The system of claim 11, wherein the receiving theselection of the media item and the recipient is over a first networkand the causing delivery of the media item is over a second network. 17.The system of claim 11, wherein the causing the delivery comprisestransmitting a notification to the recipient, the notification includinga uniform resource locator (URL) or metadata to access the media item.18. A hardware storage device storing instructions that when executed byone or more hardware processors of a machine, cause the machine toperform operations comprising: receiving, at an interactive mediacomponent that comprises one or more servers, from a client device of auser, a selection of a media item to be provided to a recipient, theinteractive media component having access to a plurality of sources ofmedia content; receiving, at the interactive media component from theclient device, a selection of the recipient for the media item, arecipient identifier being accessible to the interactive mediacomponent; and causing, by the interactive media component, delivery ofthe media item to the recipient, the causing delivery comprising:determining whether the media item to be provided is available from asource of the plurality of different sources that is subscribed to bythe user that is providing the media item to the recipient; and eitherresponsive to determining that the media item is available from thesource subscribed to by the user, causing delivery of the media item tothe recipient from the source subscribed to by the user, or responsiveto determining that the media item is not available from the sourcesubscribed to by the user, causing delivery of the media item to therecipient from an alternative source of the plurality of sources that isselected by the user from a list of one or more alternative sourcesidentified by the interactive media component as having the media item,the recipient identifier comprising at least one of an e-mail address, anetwork handle, a name and address, or a telephone number.
 19. Thehardware storage device of claim 18, wherein the causing the deliverycomprises causing, by the interactive media component, a cable orsatellite provider subscribed to by the user to provide the media itemto the recipient that subscribes to a different cable or satelliteprovider.
 20. The hardware storage device of claim 18, wherein thecausing the delivery comprises causing, by the interactive mediacomponent, the source subscribed to by the user to provide the mediaitem to the recipient that subscribes to a different source.